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Channar agreement to be varied to ensure ongoing jobs

Variation will sustain more than 140 jobs at Channar mine near Paraburdoo

Legislation to vary the Iron Ore (Channar Joint Venture) Agreement Act 1987 was introduced into State Parliament this week, extending the term of the agreement by up to 15 years.

The Channar mine is located near Paraburdoo and produces up to 10 million tonnes of iron ore per year, which is exported through Rio Tinto's Cape Lambert and Dampier port operations.

The Channar project, which employs more than 140 workers, is owned by subsidiaries of Rio Tinto and China's Sinosteel Corporation.

The variation will extend the agreement's expiry by 10 years to February 2028, with provision for a further extension of five years beyond that.

This extension is expected to cover the completion of approved mining activities, as well as decommissioning and rehabilitation of the area once mining has concluded.

The variation also underpins the continued operation of the landmark Channar Mining Joint Venture, which was China's first ever mining joint venture in Australia and celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"More than two thirds of workers at Rio Tinto's Greater Paraburdoo operations, of which Channar is a part, are residential.

"The McGowan Government is committed to supporting local jobs for regional communities."